I booked a first class ticket to Newcastle on LNER , because my wife needed to relax after cancer treatment at the wonderful guys hospital, and we were looking forward to a comfortable journey home, with a first class, comfortable train ride, and enjoying a first class hot meal with wine....Errr...no. No hot food.... Not first class at all really. There was a first class element to tge explanation though. Upon enquiringly to a steward as to why there was no hot food, he blamed staff shortages, which I interpreted as no chef, which was the case.....The blame however was really top class, After my comment that Virgin should be brought back the steward said " well, it's actually Virgins fault that we are so short of staff, as they left the service understaffed"....EHHHH??...Couldn't comprehend the reasoning, and still can't and I've given it some thought since...nope...don't understand...the remaining choice was a deli box with cheeses and other bits or a long roll with Salmon....truly awful...it looked like paste with an unrecognisable green leaf...the cake was bland and unappetising....not much point in ever booking or paying first class again.....Virgin are streets ahead of this shambolic lot....bring em back!
LNER FIRST CLASS LOUNGE (★★★)
KING’S CROSS STATION
LOCATION & OPENING TIMES:
- Next to Waitrose between Platforms 8 and 10, Kings Cross Station, 12-24 York Way, London N19
- Mon-Fri 7am-9.25pm, Sat 8am-8.15pm, Sun 9am-8.15pm
HOW TO GET IN:
- First Class Anytime Ticket to Stevenage £21.60 (cheapest option)
- Ticket checks on entrance 80% of the time, sometimes once seated
PROS:
- Large Lounge with open planned sections
- Laptop stations, dining tables as well as comfortable
- Complimentary bottled water, tea, coffee, Coca Cola, Diet Coke, juices, cookies, fruit, cakes
- Glasses and bone china cups
- Free WiFi (works 80% of the time)
- Free masseuse on hand every other day, they may offer or you can ask
- Free printer to use (assuming for printing tickets only ideally)
CONS:
- Either extremely quiet or extremely busy (rush hour for example)
- WC feel separate from Lounge, almost as if you have to show your ticket again
- Staff can be uptight about how long you are staying, or how much you are indulging in their complimentary items
This area has become Very desirable with wonderful developments.
Nice restaurant & cafes
Nice area to walk about!
The station can be super busy at times, but there's plenty of space and everything is well signposted. The platforms are easy to access and information is displayed very well. A lot of places to grab a bit to eat - either to sit in or take on the train with you. There's also a Harry Potter shop and opportunity for photos at Platform 9 3/4. Lacking in seating, but if you look there's normally a spare seat to be found.
I travel through this station on a pretty regular basis and have always found it clean and well organised. The signage is excellent and there are always staff on hand if you need assistance. There is a fair range of shops but you will find many more in the adjacent St Pancras station and also there is a great range of restaurants in and around the station. a few more seats would be a useful addition to what is now a very pleasant Kings Cross. My photo shows the new Azuma train standing in the station.
